Volume 16, Issue 6 November—December 2009 President’s … · 2015-10-28 · Volume 16, Issue 6 November—December 2009 President’s Message: Ramping Up for Round Up I know it’s

November—December 2009Volume 16, Issue 6

President’s Message: Ramping Up for Round UpI know it’s barely November, but it’s already time to start planning for the next Ferrets Anonymous Round Up in March. This is only the second Round Up that will have taken place since I was elected President of FA so I’m relatively new to this annual event. Last year, we held the meeting in Orange County, and my wife Dawn took lead on most of the details regarding the event. After seeing her stress out, I want to see more people be involved with the planning and execution of the event.

The first, and most important part of getting the meeting planned, is finding a location that has enough room, chairs and tables - where we can set up in the kitchen (our events are always potluck, which saves a lot of money when we have 100+ people to feed). This year, we had planned to have the meeting in San Bernar-dino, and had already secured a meeting hall. Unfortunately, that plan has fallen through due to the hall losing their license to remain open. This past week, I called Pat W. in San Diego and asked him to take the lead on securing a location for the event. As of now, we are going to promote the Round Up being in San Diego, but we don’t have a physical address just yet. Moving forward, I’ve enlisted the help of several of our FA Board Members who will be taking care of specific tasks having to do with putting the event together.

Round Up Assignments:

Kimberly B. - FA Vice President:

- Soliciting for donations for raffles from companies that are nearest & dearest to ferret owners. Contact email: [email protected]

Anita H. – FA Secretary:

- Taking care of vendors and setting up companies & others who wish to sell at Round up. Contact email: [email protected]

Claudia T. – FA Treasurer:

- Assisting with donations and raffle items. Contact email: [email protected]

Laryssa N. – Membership Chairperson:

- Keeping tabs on who is bringing what dishes to the Round Up for the potluck. Contact email: [email protected]

If you are willing to help organize the event and help out – please let us know as soon as possible. Not wait-ing until the last moment will help us all have a much more enjoyable event, and we’ll be able to get a lot more done as an organization. A typical Round Up requires a bunch of planning, and that requires a decent amount of footwork to ensure that it comes off without a hitch. You can email me anytime at [email protected].

Get involved! - What you can do to help:

1. Do you know someone who is knowledgeable who would bring information to our group that we’d find inter-esting? Would they be willing to speak at our gathering?

2. If you’re coming to the Round Up, please plan to bring a dish or side dish and let Laryssa N. know what you’re bringing so we can plan to have an assortment of foods at the event.

3. Do you make and sell products or items for ferrets, or people who love ferrets? If so, you can set up a ven-dor table at the Round Up and sell to everyone at the event. Just coordinate with Kimberly B.

www.ferretsanonymous.orgPage 2November—December 2009

Presidents Message (contd.)4. Do you have great photos of your ferrets that you would like to see in this publication over the next year? We have a Photo Contest each year, and the winners are published in the Paw Print! –Bring your photos with you printed on 5x7 or larger photo paper!

5. Do you know companies that would be willing to donate items to benefit FA? We host a Silent Auction as well as several raffles throughout the day to help raise funds for Ferrets Anonymous. The best way to ensure this happens is for our members to get out there and get items that others may want.

6. Do you have unused items that are in good shape that you would like to pass along to others in need? This year, more than in years past, this is becoming more and more needed. Bring your extras and pay it forward to someone in need.

7. Each year, we elect the persons that will serve FA on its Board of Directors for the coming year. Don’t miss out on the chance to make your voice heard and elect those persons who you feel will do the best job in keeping the spirit of FA going strong in 2010.

I’m really looking forward to this year’s Round Up. We got a whole lot accomplished last year, and this time –we should be able to have a relaxing day together to see how much we’ve accomplished over the past year since changes were set into motion for the organization. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend. Fer-ret owners are far too disconnected from each other, so any opportunity to get together as friends with a com-mon cause is as good a reason as any to gather. Pitch in, and help make this Round Up the most memorable yet!

- Lance M.

President’s Message — Page 1 & 2

FA Financial Report — Page 3

CDFG’s Same Old Song & Dance — Page 4

Easy & Fun Human Holiday Recipes — Page 6

17th Annual FA Round Up Information & 08’ Photo Contest Winner — Page 7

Meetings & Contact Information — Page 9

Upcoming Events — Page 10

Subscribe & Support Ferrets Anonymous — Page 11

Inside this Issue:

www.ferretsanonymous.orgPage 3

November—December 2009

October 31, 2009 Financial Statement

Inflows

Advertising $505

Donations $15

Newsletter Subscriptions $280

Round-Up:

Door $870

Raffles $249

Silent Auction $182

Vendors $80

Total Inflows $2,181

Outflows

FA Banners $155

Education $190

Newsletter $641

Bank Charge $12

Round-Up - 150 handouts $451

Total Outflows $1,449

Bank Balance $4,885


CDFG’s Same Old Song & Dance


The California Department of Fish and Game’s website on why ferrets are illegal, and moreover, why they are considered risks to the California wildlife, are seemingly valid when looked at through the eyes of a non-ferret owner.

Ferrets are natural born hunters. –Yes, it’s true. Some of them are avid little hunters! But the fact that our ferret hunters are domesticated seems to have slipped past the grasp of the DFG. Cats & dogs are still natu-ral born hunters, some more than others, and while cats and dogs do go feral, it is more often the case that cats and dogs are found by nice people before they can go feral at all. Feral cats are usually cats that are born that way. -Any veterinarian can tell you that. The same goes for most dogs.

We all know ferrets do not survive well, if at all in the wild. As pets, they imprint on the foods they will prefer for their entire life, before six months of age. They don’t find much kibble outdoors! And even if a ferret could find a nice supply of cat or dog food – the fact that cats and dogs, hawks, and other carnivores like to eat up little ferret-like animals really works against them. Not to mention the fact that ferrets are domesticated, and have all the common sense survival strategies bred out of them, to ensure they get along with other ferrets (so rabbit hunters could have more ferrets for working warrens).

Yet the Department of Fish and Game loves to tout information from the early 20th century on its website claiming ferrets can go feral, and are a risk to wildlife. I thought it would be fitting to find more sources that explain why this is not the case.

The most interesting article I found was from February, 1936, Popular Science Magazine. In the article “Living Rat Traps – Raised on Novel Farms”, the author addresses a few points that the DFG uses them-selves. One, is that ferrets are natural born hunters. Yet the article about a boy who found a pregnant ferret escaped from his neighbor who then bred ferrets as ratters, really supports the position that ferrets cannot live outside for very long. Not only that, but it’s also interesting that the DFG contends, without any proof, that ferrets from ferret farms often got loose and breed in the wild. One would think the owner of the largest ferret farm in the world in 1936 would have mentioned this in the article. The ferret breeder had been breeding fer-rets in Ohio for over 45 years, and sometimes as many as 25,000 a year, but usually around 10,000.

What the breeder Levi Farnsworth does mention is that while ferrets are good hunters, they need to be taught how to hunt and kill rats. That means they are pretty much only going to be able to kill small animals such as mice, if anything at all, if escapees are pets, they’d have to be taught how to take prey successfully. He goes into detail about how they have to teach a ferret to fight a rat, and use rats without teeth for practice. They may be natural born hunters, but natural born killers, assuredly they are not.

Another wonderful excerpt from this common-sense article: “An English or albino ferret shows its tameness. After becoming accustomed to its handler, a ferret cannot be induced to bite.” The author also describes the ferret that Levi originally found, to be “as tame as a kitten.” Even the ferrets used for hunting, left outside for weeks at a time with food, water, and shelter given to them in the form of a hutch and daily feedings, were still tame. “Farnsworth has found that a ferret, when tame, makes as gentle a pet as a kitten.”

But the best part of all, from this ferret expert and breeder who bred tens of thousands of ferrets annually, explains why ferrets cannot live in the wild. “He explains that the ferret, if released and left to shift for itself, does not survive very long. Dogs and other enemies soon destroy it, so that it cannot multiply. Therefore, there is little danger that escaped ferrets will overrun a region. Properly raised ferrets are so tame that, after they have completed a particular assignment of killings rats or other vermin, they can be picked up with ease.”

Page 5www.ferretsanonymous.org


I have never found any proof of the DFG claim that there were wild, sustainable populations of ferrets in states with ferret farms, and no instance of the government or any agency needing to get rid of the these populations. The sooner the DFG realizes that the ferrets in New Zealand are polecat-ferret hybrids and not true ferrets, the better off we will be as residents of California. Point made: domestic ferrets do not become feral.

All of the arguments the CDFG have for banning ferrets are old, out-dated, and used out of context. I hope perhaps this article might counter some of the DFG’s “old” sources.

- Laryssa N.



Easy and Fun Human Holiday Recipes Deva’s Biscotti(Hazelnut or Almond)

1 ½ Cup toasted, chopped hazelnuts or almonds2 ½ Cups flour (can substitute 1/2 cup of nut flour for 1/2 cup of flour)1 Cup sugar (can be half brown sugar)1 Teaspoon Baking Powder½ Teaspoon anise seeds (optional)1 Tablespoon lemon or orange zestPinch of salt½ Teaspoon ground pepper (optional)3 Large eggs1 Teaspoon vanilla, hazelnut, or almond flavor

Mix all ingredients. This should form a slightly sticky ball. If dry add a little water, lemon or other liquid.

Place on oiled or floured baking sheet and pat out two rolls about 10 by 5”. Bake in preheated oven at 350° for about 20 minutes. (Center should feel firm and it should be a light brown.)

Cool enough to be able to handle. Slice into ½” sections. Turn sections on their sides and bake in a 250° oven another 15-20 minutes.

Cool completely and store in an airtight container. These will keep for months.

Fancy Biscotti:After biscotti has cooled second time, drizzle with white and dark chocolate. After chocolate hardens, place in an air-tight container.

To infuse flavor into white chocolate you must use oils. Ex-tracts have water and your chocolate will instantly solidify. You can buy oils at kitchen shops, places that sell cake decorating supplies or even online.

Charlene’s Chili

1 XLINT Block1 Large Jar of Hot Picanta sauce1 Pound Ground Turkey Breast

(I get the Turkey Store Brand)2 cans - 30oz Red Chili Beans (Hunts)1 can - 30oz Refried Beans

Pan cook ground turkey with what ever spices you'd like.Put all ingredients in crock pot and cook on low for 8 hours.

Salmon, Shrimp and Scallion Pasta

16 oz Pasta1/2 Cup White Wine1/2 Cup Butter1 lb. Private Selection Smoked Salmon1 lb. Shrimp (cooked)1 Bunch of Scallions (sliced)

Prepare pasta as directed. Heat sauté pan over me-dium-high heat. Pour wine into pan and reduce by half. Turn heat down and add butter; swirl pan to mix. Place salmon, shrimp, scallions and pasta together with sauce; toss. Serve hot, and refrigerate any leftovers.

Kimberly Emerson’s - Baked Salmon in Mayo

4 salmon filletsMayosalt/pepperDillSliced lemons

Put salmon fillets in a large glass baking dish. Add salt, pepper and dill weed to taste. Squeeze a half of lemon over the top. Cover all fillets with ample mayo, and then add a bit more dill on top.

Bake at 350 for about 45 minutes, depending on the size of the fillets. The mayonnaise will brown and thicken. Serve with chunks of lemon.

Kevin Farlee’s - Crockpot BBQ Chicken

Take a whole chicken, WITHOUT organs/neck, etc.Rinse it and put it in the crock pot.Pour a bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce over the chicken and let it go all day; on low.

At the end of the day, CAREFULLY pick the bones out (the meat will fall apart, but it's HOT and easy to get burned!) then serve however you want (open-face on buns is one of mine).



17th Annual Ferrets Anonymous Round Up, March 20th, 2010ROUND UP ELECTION ANNOUNCEMENT:

Elections for the FA board will be held at the Annual Ferrets Anonymous Round Up on March 20, 2010. If you wish to nominate someone for a position, please submit the following information by February 22, 2010 for the information to be placed on the ballot.

Name of Nominee (first name, last initial)

Phone number of Nominee

Nominated position

A brief summary of why you think the candidate is a good choice.

Positions: 2009 FA Board:

President President: Lance M.

Vice President Vice President: Kimberly B.

Treasurer Treasurer: Claudia T.

Secretary Secretary: Anita H.

Membership Chairperson Membership Chairperson: Laryssa N.

The 17th Annual Ferrets Anonymous Round Up will be held in San Diego on Saturday, March 20, 2010.

- More details in the next PawPrint.

“Photo Contest Winner: 2009 Round Up — Best Interaction with Toys”

Riata playing with her fish. Riata owns Jolene and Keith’s heart.



ADVERTISE IN THE PAW PRINT

Reach thousands of exotic animals owners & enthusiasts every other month by advertising in the FA Paw Print. Veterinarians & manufacturers can target their main demographic instantly, at a significant savings over other forms of advertising. Call any one of our existing advertisers and ask the how the Paw Print has helped them grow their business. Because back issues of the Paw Print are also hosted online at www.FerretsAnonymous.org, your ad will remain active and visible long after the current issue becomes a back issue. Your advertising dollars will be used to further the goals of Ferrets Anonymous, and to assist ferrets and ferret enthusiasts.

2009 Paw Print Advertising Rates: Business Card Ad: $150/ 6 Issues or $35 per issue. Quarter—page Ad: $250/ 6 Issues or $50 per issue. Half—page Ad: $450/ 6 Issues or $100 per issue. Full—page Ad: $1,000/ 6 Issues or $175 per issue.

Please contact Lance M. at [email protected] or call (949) 303-8481 with questions. If you’re ready to advertise, please send us a note letting us know the size and duration of your ad, and provide print-ready artwork (300 dpi) on CD or by email. (We can create an ad for you if you wish for a nominal fee).

Please make checks payable to:

Ferrets AnonymousP.O. Box 53306Irvine, CA 92619

Do you know about an upcoming ferret event and don’t see it listed here, please send an email with the details to: [email protected] - the sub-ject line: “Paw Print Upcoming Events”.

CALLING ALL CHAPTER HEADS

Do you have a change of meeting information that needs to be updated? Do you have a story or other inter-esting article that should be published in the Paw Print? We’re always looking for good content for the news-letter, and your voice should be heard!

If so, please email Dawn M. : [email protected]

or Lance M. : [email protected]


FA Contacts

Concord-Northern California Ferret Alliance (Chapter):

Last Tues of each month at 7p.m. Marie Callendar's; 2090 Diamond Blvd. Kimberly 925-783-0767, [email protected] or Lili 415-497-5481, [email protected]

Hayward/Freemont: Golden State Ferret Society (Chapter):

1st Tues of the month at The Ranch Restaurant; 22877 Mission Blvd., Hayward. Donna 510-579-1558 or 510-583-0799; [email protected]; www.goldenstateferretsociety.org

Hesperia/High Desert (Chapter):

2nd Tues of the month at 7 p.m. IHOP on Main St., Hesperia. Barbara or Joanne at 760-949-6670; [email protected]

Humboldt (Chapter):

Contact Suni for meeting time and location at

707-496-9185; [email protected]

Long Beach (Chapter):

Call Joe for meeting time and location at

714-969-1404; [email protected]

Monterey Bay Ferrets:

3rd Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at Applebee’s Restau-rant, 1105 S. Green Valley Rd., Watsonville, CA Contact Dianna; [email protected] or Penny @ 831-713-9818.

Ontario/Riverside:

Call Sharon at 626-241-7647; [email protected]

Orange County North:

No meetings scheduled; Kay 714-838-3326.

Orange County (ALL) - OCFerrets (Chapter):

2nd Sat of every other month at 2 p.m. at Heritage Park in

Irvine. Contact Dawn 949-241-1189; [email protected]

or Lance 949-303-8481; www.ocferrets.org

Riverside/Corona:

Contact Gina for meeting time and location at 951-660-6630; [email protected]

Sacramento-West Coast Ferrets:

2nd Tues of the month at 7p.m. at La Placita Dos Restaurant; 8036 Greenback Lane, Citrus Heights. Debby 916-310-0017;

[email protected]; www.westcoastferrets.com

San Diego-East County:

Contact Chris for meeting time and location at 619-440-8823; [email protected]

Ridgecrest/High Desert (Chapter):

Contact Gail for meeting time and place at 760-912-7221; [email protected]

San Diego-Metro:

Contact Pat for meeting time and location at 619-303-0645; [email protected] Fernando Valley: Contact Carl for meeting time

and location at 818-831-7819.

San Francisco-Northern California Ferret Alliance

(Chapter): 2nd Thurs of each month at 7p.m. at IHOP;

2299 Lombard St., San Francisco. Kimberly 925-783-

0767, [email protected] or Lili 415-497-5481,

[email protected]; www.ncferretalliance.org

San Gabriel Valley (Chapter): 4th Sat of each month

at 12:30p.m. at Home Taste Restaurant; 106 W. Foot-

hill Blvd., Glendora. Claudia 626-358-6027

Santa Clarita: Contact Barri or Robert at 661-252-6093

for meeting time and location;[email protected]

Vallejo (Chapter): Contact Lisa for meeting time and

place at 510-407-1392; [email protected]

Ventura: No meetings scheduled. Jennifer 805-384-

1670. [email protected] or Jaya 805-525-4080



Nationwide Upcoming Ferret Events:


December 12, 2009—California

OCFerrets 3rd Annual Holiday Party

For more information contact Dawn at 949/241-1189

[email protected] or visit our website for details:

www.ocferrets.org

December 19, 2009—California

San Gabriel Valley Holiday Pot Luck Lunch

Pasadena Humane Society, 361 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena CA 91105

The doors will open at 11 and lunch will be at noon. We may have a vet speaker depending on her schedule or a movie with a ferret in it. Please bring your favorite food dish for lunch; drinks and paper goods will be supplied. If you would like to participate in our ferret gift theft, please bring a wrapped gift that a ferret or its owner would like. If you get lost or need more information, please call Claudia at 626-327-2917. See you in December.

December 4 & 5, 2009 – York, PennsylvaniaYork Fairgrounds, Horticulture [email protected]

May 22 and 23, 2010 – Blacksburg, VirginiaManagement of the Ferret for Veterinary ProfessionalsA two-day course presented by The American Ferret Association VA-MD Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Techwww.ferret.org


Support Ferrets Anonymous

The Paw Print is published bi-monthly. Subscriptions are $20.00 a year and mailed to you discreetly. Please consider making a donation to the State Ferrets Anonymous organization, so our work can continue throughout the State. Your donations help to educate people about domestic ferrets & help save the lives of ferrets in peril.

Please make your checks payable to:

Ferrets Anonymous

P.O. Box 53306

Irvine, CA 92619

Your Name:

Street Address:

City/State/Zip:

Email:

Phone Number:


LOOKING FOR A FERRET

Check out the CAFerretExchange

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/CAFerretExch/

Sign up & post at your own risk—Fish and Game maybe lurking.

LOOKING FOR AN ONLINE FERRET FORUM?

Check out Loving Ferrets Online Community

www.lovingferrets.com

LOST & FOUND FERRETS

Have you lost your beloved ferret?

OR

Have you found someone’s ferret?

If so, please contact

Chris K. — Phone: 619/440-8823

Email: [email protected]

PO Box 53306

Irvine, CA 92619

Happy Holidays!

Volume 16, Issue 6 November—December 2009 President’s … · 2015-10-28 · Volume 16, Issue 6 November—December 2009 President’s Message: Ramping Up for Round Up I know it’s

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